7 things I'm thankful for today

1. Dunkin Donuts DARK coffee
2. The bits of sun peaking through the rain clouds
3. That I have plenty of money for grocery shopping (wasn't always the case in my life)
4. I'm thankful that September is here and that means my fav comedy sitcoms will have new episodes
5. That I have no pain in my knee and haven't in weeks!
6. That I'm become interested in crocheting again.
7. That my daughter cleaned the house!

iPhoneography ..it's addictive.

Another Instagram shot I took. I expected this picture to turn out better than it did... Oh well... Jess & I went to Frisch's Big Boy the other day for lunch. It's right down the street from our house but we've never been there in the entire 5 yrs we've lived in this area.

This is my latest photo on Instagram. This is a view from our local park here in Ohio. We live near a park that is connected next to the police station. I look at this picture and think about how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful and safe city. I have longed to live in the big city somewhere - like New York.. what if? If my life was different? If I made different choices. What if? I'm learning to appreciate what I have. I live in a picture perfect area, I am very blessed - I'm finally opening my eyes at age 36 and realizing all my blessings.

Physicians Choice Makeup is the best!

My skin is sensitive now that I'm getting older. I also have uneven redness on my cheeks and dark circles under my eyes. All things I didn't have at age 20! Not fun getting old!! So the best makeup for me and my skin type (and budget) is Physician's Choice Makeup. They even have an organic line! I couldn't resist buying this face powder yesterday at Meijer. It was on sale 40% off too. Usually I use coupons at Kroger and get really good deals on makeup, but I couldn't resist with how cute this makeup is. I'm a sucker for hearts, not sure if this was themed for Valentine's Day perhaps? And the package boasted about it being a mood booster as well? I guess the makeup is infused with some sort of plant extracts that mimic endorphins. I'm all about that!

I also did a little doodling on my iPad last night. I haven't been doodling in awhile, I like to do so when I'm nervous and I definitely was last night. We had terrible storms here & Daniel was working late (I mean really late - like an 18 hour day) ... so my iPad helped me keep my mind off things. :o)

Me the insomniac queen

I am always always tired. Especially during the school year. My son has to be on the bus by 8 a.m., that is so early ! It wouldn't be so bad if I slept at night, but 8 am always seems like the prime time I am very sleepy and want to sleep.

Check out the poem I wrote on insomnia here.

My White Picket Fence

I wrote a poem about how I felt as a single mother.. waiting for the love of my life. As a little girl I didn't pray for fame or fortune, I prayed for a family. A house with a white picket fence.. and children. I grew up and got involved with the wrong crowd & ended up a single mother at 21. I struggled for 3 years until I met my husband online. (Yes! online.. and that was *very* taboo back then) -- I'm glad I took the plunge & let love in because I've been living the life the most people dream of. My husband is the kindest sweetest person I've ever met.

Click here to check out my poem :)

I found this on Digg today... cracked me up.

Ugh, today is so windy and rainy and crappy. I really hate days like this. Reminds me that winter is nearing. Which means less light ..which means I most likely will start to feel S.A.D. - I decided to finally go ahead & purchase a light to start a light therapyregimen. I hope it will help with my sleep rhythms as well. I can't wait to try it out. Anything with no side effects is a plus!

My Commentary on the deadest mall ever!

I took some photos of a Mall in my area. Isaiah and I like to walk there because it is so deserted. It makes me sad because I remember hanging out there as a kid with my best friend. To check out my pics click the pic below or click here.

Enjoying a break from the heat

I decided to get out of the house & take my son to the park. I hoped to get a little break to read or do some writing while he played on the playground. No such luck as you can see I'm now in charge of swinging. A few moments ago we had our 3rd drink from the water fountain & ate some cookies. *Sigh* i miss when he took naps!!! ;)

Feeling accomplished..

I am not a morning person. I would much rather go to bed at 2a.m. and wake at 10a.m. - but having a preschooler & teenager doesn't allow me to do that! lol - i would love 2nd shift!..someday .. someday! when they are all grown up and I can work whatever shift I please.

Anyhow, I'm trying to adapt to my daughter being back in school (she is a morning person & wakes at 7am with Isaiah during the summer) - I know!!! I am lucky, right?! but not when school is in session. I am tremendously sleep deprived. I cant seem to go to bed & actually fall asleep early no matter how hard I try! It is SO frustrating!

Jess has been in school over a week now and surprisingly I am feeling better than last year. I really think it has to do with my new water kefir adventures. This stuff is amazing! I even feel a sense of eurphoria at times. I feel calm. I am a nervous person in general who suffers from anxiety ..I really never realized maybe my disorder was an imbalance on many levels? hmm, time to do more googling on this subject after this post......

Even though yesterday was Monday ( I am always more tired on Mondays because of my weekend sleep schedule) - I did accomplish alot of stuff I didn't think I'd get done being so sleepy. Like I said - THANK GOD FOR WATER KEFIR!

I even posted a new item to Fashion Compassion: (click here for more views )



This basket took forever to make! I noticed I am taking a new interest in recycled crafting. I like the idea of re-using items, but I also really like the organic look and feel of magazine/newspaper/paper too. :)

We are a doodling family

A sneaky cell phone pic of my daughter doodling with me at the kitchen table. She absolutely refuses to have her picture taken. I know its probably the age (teenager), but it makes me sad because she's not going to be 13 forever & I won't have any pictures to remember!

Yesterday she & I were dancing in the living room to "Gun & Roses - Paradise City. She was head banging with the xbox guitar & I head banged with "air" drums. LOL We both have very sore necks today - ... how does Axil Rose do it?!

Gimme some Carrot Juice!

Today while shopping at Target for shoes and a shirt for Isaiah ( for an upcoming outdoor wedding) ... Dan & I noticed the juicers were on sale. Over five years ago we splurged on an expensive juicer that worked well but was a HORRIBLE PAIN IN THE BUTT to clean! This juicer by Waring Pro that we saw today had wonderful reviews online & was only $50. What sold me on it is that many reviewers said it was a snap to clean! Dan just made carrot, celery, apple, lemon juice & it is SO delish! and a snap to clean! double win!



I also bought some nail polish for the wedding. I haven't worn nail polish in 2 years or so and even then it was just a one time event. Being such a health conscious nut I couldn't get past all the chemicals in polish. But today I decided to just go for it when I saw a really pretty turquoise color that boasted about 'less' chemical crap added to their product. Where were all these cool colors in the 80s when I was a teen?! Well.. thank God there are more variety now so I can still sport some pretty polish! :)

Crafts Gone WRONG!

Click on the pic for a larger view..........
I was at the library with Isaiah & Jessica and grabbed a book on basketmaking while Zay was watching a puppet show. I skimmed through it and it grabbed my interest immediately. Even tho the book is era 1970s - the techniques were interesting to me. So i decided to try with newspaper. Well, basket making is ALOT harder than the book makes it look~ LOL!!!! i am determined to learn if it kills me ( which my hands ached after this disaster so bad!)

PS notice Isaiah's green shake sitting over there? its ingredients are banana, kale, pineapple, lemon, stevia & coconut oil. Yum yum!

Our trip to Nashville, Indiana

Click on the pic to see it larger.
Luckily I did get in the creative mood yesterday & finished 2 layouts! Here is one of the layouts from our Mini-Vacation to Indiana ( Dan's work sent him to Indiana & we tagged along ) .. I found a bunch of cute digital freebies from this site & it helped inspire the layout of this page. I like how usually these two pics wouldn't seem all the great without family in them -- but with a little journaling they actually come to life.

Oh and btw, i turn 35 today :-) Not that anybody reads this blog anyhow!!

not inspired today.........

I stumbled upon this cute little gadget. You can click on the gadget to feed them.

Today I am trying hard to get inspired to digi-scrapbook. I have a hot cup of coffee and some ice water at my desk...tons of digital paper & embellishments.. and no inspiration. ugh. this happens to me sometimes with any type of creating I might do. I need to quit forcing this and just move on to something else until inspiration hits I guess. Maybe I should just do the laundry instead? BOooo!

Bathing beauties

This layout is the first time I cropped pictures into circles. I think it gives the layout a fun feel to it. plus...the circles remind me of bubbles which match the whole swimming/water thing.

Today we are grilling veggies with white rice. I think rain is coming so I hope the food gets done before it starts pouring! We really need the rain though. Our grass looks like a patch of golden wheat. I'm kinda glad I didn't plant any vegetables in the garden this year. I bet I would of had a terrible time with growing good produce~!

My very first blog post!

Okay.. well.. not exactly my first post ever.. but for this blog it is the very first post. I have had numerous blogs in the past including livejournal & blogger way way back in the day. For the life of me though I can't remember the url address to my own blog! That's how long its been since I've last been on blogger. So I'm starting fresh & new..many years later I've decided to join to the blogging community again!

I plan to blog my heart out. My life as a mom, a Christian.. a Sims fanatic lol. .. I also craft alot and I'm very interested in home decorating and frugal ways to go about fixing up our old house.

More to Come!